Gashimov Memorial 2021: Fabiano Caruana takes the title.

Vuger Gashimov Memorial 2021: The American GM Fabiano Caruana defeated the Hungarian GM Richard Rapport in an armageddon after both having 24 points at the end.

The victory was unusual and unexpected too. Rapport was playing his sharp King’s Indian game against GM David Navara and on the other end, Caruana was struggling with Black against GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.

However, a terrible blunder from Mamedyarov put the game into the hands of Caruana which tied the score at 24 points after the end of the Blitz section.

It turns out that everything will be decided in an armageddon game. Fabiano with the White pieces had four minutes while Rapport having five minutes needs to draw the game.

Although, the American GM was prepared and opened with the London system. Rapport looked comfortable in the opening phase but Caruana excelled in the middle game.

Thus, closing the matter with his brilliancy. Rapport gains 48 points to be ranked World No. 5 in the Rapid ratings. The winner also was exceptional too.

A disappointment for Anand’s fan because he is now the second-highest rated Indian Blitz player behind GM Erigaisi Arjun. He drops 66 ELO points, falling himself from 4th to 16th.

Fabiano gains 22 ELO points and takes the fourth spot which was held by Vishwanath Anand.

Expect a lot of changes in these lists in a few days from now as the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships will be taking place December 26-30, 2021 in Warsaw, Poland.